(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced today that Emma Libersky, a student from Plymouth High School, Plymouth, Indiana, won top honors in the 2014 Indiana Poetry Out Loud State Finals.

Libersky was chosen from a field of 18 finalists from Indiana schools participating in this year's competition held February 22 at the Central Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, Indianapolis. She becomes the first repeat State Champion in the eight year history of the competition.

Daniel Robinson, Pike High School, Indianapolis, Indiana was the First Runner-Up, and Ming Washington, from LaLumiere School, LaPorte, Indiana was Second Runner-Up. Robinson was Second Runner-Up in the 2013 competition.

The state champion receives a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in late April. The state champion's school receives a $500 stipend to purchase poetry books.

A total of $50,000 in scholarship awards and school stipends will be awarded at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship awarded to the national champion. The National Championship features competitors from all 50 state, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Launched in 2006, the annual poetry recitation contest is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation, and is open to any Indiana high school. Participating high schools conduct initial competitions to determine one student to represent the school at the state finals.

The Poetry Out Loud program is designed to encourage youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, and help students master public speaking skills, build self-esteem, and internalize an appreciation for American literary heritage.

The Indiana Arts Commission is dedicated to the vision of the arts everywhere, everyday, for everyone in Indiana.